Politics
From The Report: Mongolia 2012
View in Online Reader

Mongolia’s political history is dominated by its relationships with its only two neighbors: China and Russia. Although in the 13th century, Genghis Khan conquered lands as far away as eastern Europe and established one of the largest empires in history, Mongolia fell under Chinese dominion by the 17th century. The fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1919 paved the way for Bolshevik Russia to turn Mongolia into a satellite state. With the dissolution of the USSR, Mongolia entered the multiparty era and now boasts relative political stability and a fledgling democracy. It strives to maintain good relations with China and Russia, but the country also hopes to develop relationships with the US, Japan and other nations through its “third neighbour” policy.
This chapter features interviews with President Ts. Elbegdorj; Sukhbaatar Batbold, Prime Minister of Mongolia; and Gombojav Zandanshatar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, and Joe Biden, Vice-President of the US, provide viewpoints.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Self-determination: As it did in the past, the country is again forging its own path
OBG
plus

With its multi-party political system and lively level of public debate, Mongolia stands out as a democratic success story in a region not noted for its pluralism. Indeed, the individualism that is so much a characteristic of Mongolian society now underpins a political life that can seem quite at odds with those of its neighbours, both near and far. TRANSPARENCY & STABILITY: This political openness has also been tied to an increasing openness to global markets and the wider world. A broad…

Interview

OBG talks to Prime Minister S. Batbold
OBG
plus

Interview:Prime Minister S. Batbold What are the top priorities as far as domestic reform and economic development is concerned? BATBOLD: Mongolia is at a very important stage of development, having gone through a transitional period embracing a new system of democracy and a market economy. During this period we have learnt a lot and we must now progress from this phase towards a more sophisticated democracy. This will be achieved through political reforms, and the strengthening of institutions…

Viewpoint

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, on further consolidation of ties between Germany and Mongolia
OBG
plus

Mongolia and Germany may be several thousand kilometres apart, but our countries nonetheless share a long tradition of exchange and cooperation. For that reason there is a higher proportion of people with a knowledge of German in Mongolia than in virtually any other Asian country. Many Mongolian university graduates and skilled workers studied or trained in Germany. Today they act as an important bridge that helps to narrow the geographical distance between us. We are also united by our…

Analysis

A third neighbour: Traditionally dependent on Russia and China, the country is actively seeking to broaden its international relations
OBG
plus

Foreign relations have traditionally been dominated by the country’s giant neighbours, Russia and China. As a landlocked nation, it is dependent on these two global powers for land access to the global markets beyond them. Furthermore, the Chinese and Russian markets have long accounted for the vast majority of both Mongolia’s imports and exports. Seeking to bring more advantageous terms to the table in international trade and diplomacy, Mongolia has thus been pursuing a “third neighbour”…

Viewpoint

Building bridges: Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, on developing closer ties with Mongolia
OBG
plus

Both China and Mongolia work very closely and diligently to strengthen ties of commerce and friendship between the people of both nations. It is through the joint efforts and hard work of the governments of China and Mongolia, together with businesses, that we have achieved great accomplishments in economic and trade cooperation, and that such collaboration has become an important pillar for the development of bilateral relations. Currently, commercial exchanges between both countries are…

Viewpoint

Joseph R Biden, US Vice-President, on Mongolia’s democratic reforms
OBG
plus

Our two nations have a shared history that goes back at least 100 years, beginning with an expedition by Roy Chapman Andrews, a naturalist and explorer. In 1923 he captured the world’s imagination by discovering in the Gobi Desert the largest mammal to ever walk this earth. That said, although we do go back at least 100 years, we’ve grown much closer ever since the Mongolian people began to embrace democracy 22 years ago. In the last 20 years, Mongolia has once again captured the imagination…

Analysis

Party politics: Economic growth remains a shared priority
OBG
plus

Since it first held a general election, back in 1990, Mongolia has had a series of nationwide ballots, both for its parliament, the State Great Khural (SGKh), and for its president. The year 2012 sees elections for the SGKh held once again, with a variety of parties, groups and factions vying for power. LONG-TERM PEDIGREE: The party with the longest history, as well as the longest period in office, is the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), which first took office in 1921, changing its name…

Interview

OBG talks to G. Zandanshatar, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
OBG
plus

Interview:G. Zandanshatar What are Mongolia’s foreign policy priorities in terms of security and economic development? ZANDANSHATAR: A main priority for Mongolia’s foreign policy in 2012 is expanding, strengthening and developing our strategic relationship with our two neighbours: China and Russia. The stability, progress and sustainable development of China and Russia are essential factors that will create the conditions for the development and security of Mongolia in 2012. China and…